The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-11-24
thursday. NOV. "a, 1887.
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.

THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Apropos of the meeting of the farm
ers of Vance county here on the first
Saturday in December, for the purpose
of organizing County Farmers As
sociaton, or Farmers Alliance, we
publish the following from the Pro-
gressi0e Farmer 1t is hardly worth
while for the GOLD LEAF to say any
thing of the importance and necessity
of organization among the farmers.
Other interest are allied, more or less;
why not the farmers =? Concert of &C
ton, unanimity of purpose, is what is
needed to protect and promote the
welfare of the farmers, and this we are
pleased to see they appear to be real
izing in manner that is prompting
them to action throughout the country
Let there be large gathering of flrm-
ers in Henderson Saturday after next
for the purpose of forming a Farmers
Alliance. The PrQgyessiUe Farmer
says:
Let it be understood that the iunda-
mental and primary object of the Far
mers Alliance is TO improve rhe farmers
socially, morally, intellectually and
financially. 1t adopts such means and
methods as are perfectly legitimate
and as may best promote this object.
1t makes war on no man or men en-
gagged in legitimate business. 1t will
protect its members, as far as possible,
against imposition and oppression,
let 1t come from what source it may.
1t will manage and control, as far as
possible, the products of its labor. 1t
will encourage and foster education,
and the industrial development of the
country. 1t is strictly non-sectarian
and bipartisan. 1t has nothing to
do with mans party affiliations, but
1t does have to do with those great
political questions which override and |
overshadow considerations of a mere
partisan character, and upon a which |
science of true economic government
IS founded. 1t asks for no special |
tavors at the hands of government
all it asks is, for " a fair field and an
even chance" with all other interests.
Glass legislation and unjust discrlm-
ination against the agricultural inter
estS of the country, will be fought and
fought earnestly and persistently. 1t
demands equity and justice for the
farmers of the country-it wants
more-it will take nothing
less. 1t will aid and encourage its
members to sell when they can get the
best prices, and to buy where they can
buy cheapest. 1t will foster closer
fraternal relations between the farmers
of the country, and thus cultivate and
the bonds of union and CO.
operation. 1t will use all the means
IN its power to do away with the credit
system and the lien mortgage system
which it regards as evil, and evil only
to the farmers.
Senator Vance in his address at the
Fayetteville Fair, very forcibly illus
trated the passive and helpless situa-
ton OF the farmer without organiza-
ton, by the following anecdote:
Farmers, what control have YOU ;
over the products of your labor? Do ;
you price your corn or wheat, or to- {
hacco or cotton? Are you not COM ,
PEELED to take just the price which
others see fit SO offer your Have you ;
any voice in the matter? An old
man named Roark lived up in the {
mountains. He was a great horse !
raider, and when, near the close of ]
he war, Stoneman WAS making a raid !
through our western counties, Roark ,
he would ride out and {
make 4 reconnaissance. Mounting a s
good fat horse he started, and soon I
net the raiders, and the officer prompt
y ordered the old fellow to dismount. ,
Soark got down, and about that time G
le saw Yankee private sliding down t
'ff terribly dilapidated animal. The t
'ttlcer commanded Roark to take off 4
lis saddle and put it on the Yankees e
lorse. Roark obeyed. "Mount!" u
aid the officer. Roark mounted the I
Yankees horse. "Now take the road i
or your home," said the officer. r
>oark gathered his reins and turned r
o the officer and said: "Will YOU Fl